Finding sanctuary

... From rising heating bills: Places of worship seek to cut costs and aid those in need

... From rising heating bills: Places of worship seek to cut costs and aid those in need

November 24, 2005|LYN STEGEMILLER Tribune Staff Writer

There may be a little less joy in Blissville this winter. The coming season with its expected high heating costs could serve up a double challenge for Blissville Church of the Brethren, located between Plymouth and Walkerton. Faced with the possibility of skyrocketing bills to keep its own building warm, the Rev. Jim Baker also anticipates his church will receive increased requests for assistance from financially-strapped members or the community. "We're not in crisis mode but we're in 'deeply concerned and kind of scared mode,' '' he said with a smile. Despite financial concerns for the rural church with an average weekly attendance of 80 people, Baker expressed confidence in being able to weather the storm. "We have a very generous congregation and a very generous community," he noted. "I know that if and when those issues come up, all we will have to do is say, 'Hey, we have some real significant needs being presented.' It's informal, but I'm convinced that within this congregation and this community we can get something together fairly quickly to meet those needs." Blissville is not alone. Representatives of area religious organizations contacted by The Tribune noted that while it is too early to know just how tight monies may be this winter, they believe their Congregations prepare congregations can be counted on for more financial support, if needed. Their facilities -- large, small, old and new -- are expected to be as ready as possible for the potentially difficult winter ahead, they said. Energy conservation measures have been in place or planned even before higher heating costs loomed. At Blissville, the three-level church building built about 25 years ago already is well insulated, incandescent bulbs have been replaced with fluorescent counterparts, and a programmable thermostat is used to lower the temperature when the building is not in use, Baker said. He noted the church takes such energy-saving measures for stewardship reasons as well as economical. "We don't want to stress natural resources any more than we have to," he explained. But because of expected high heating costs, the church now plans to boost next year's budget allotments, Baker said. A $250 increase to $3,000 for the year's electricity bills and a $1,600 hike to $4,000 for natural gas costs can be done without too much trouble because of savings recently realized with insurance, Baker explained. St. Mary's Catholic Church in Niles heats its 135-year-old building of about 9,000 square feet only for weekend Mass celebrations, funerals and monthly children's liturgies, according to Jane Bourbonnais, administrative assistant at the church. The thermostat is lowered to 58 degrees throughout the week. A nearby convent, recently renovated and turned into a parish center, now houses offices, meeting facilities, a youth center, a eucharistic garden and a chapel, she said. Masses during the week will be held in the 810-square-foot chapel, Bourbonnais said. She noted that such changes are expected to keep heating expenses relatively steady. Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in South Bend has worked over the years to maximize its energy conservation, according to the Rev. Larry Davidson. "Basically, we're up to par now," he said. The church recently installed a new heating system, put in ceiling fans and repaired insulation as part of its efforts to save energy, he said. Still, many people spoke of walking through their buildings this fall to try to see where, if anywhere, further steps could be taken. The Rev. James Fair of Trinity Evangelical Free Church in South Bend cited plans for an energy audit of the church's facility, which he estimated contains 50,000 to 60,000 square feet of space. Having seen past monthly gas bills rise to $3,500 in the coldest part of the winter, maximizing the church's energy-saving ability is always key, he said. This fall, the church decided to construct a vestibule at one of its main entrances to try to stop winter's cold winds from sweeping through the building when the doors are opened. The church also switched natural gas suppliers and locked in a rate for three years that is lower than that paid in October, Fair said. Those heading to Temple Beth-El in the coming months may want to bring an extra sweater. Lynda Simon, Temple Beth-El's co-house chair, said that the thermostat has been turned down a little as yet another energy-saving move. Temple Beth-El possibly could have to scale back plans to renovate or restore the 55-year-old section of its building if heating expenses rise too much, she said. But, like other people interviewed, Simon said no cuts would be made in services. When it comes to helping individuals who may turn to the religious entities for financial help this winter, representatives once again expressed optimism. Some places of worship, such as Blissville and Trinity Evangelical Free, have offered financial management courses to their members to try to help them be good stewards of their assets. Most representatives said that their organization's discretionary funds or Good Samaritan accounts -- used primarily to help members -- are in pretty good shape at the moment. Even Baker, who noted that Blissville's Good Samaritan fund is a little lower than usual, still expressed confidence in being able to help. "We foreseeably could have fundraisers for this Good Samaritan fund if we feel that we want to broaden it," he said. "That would be something I know we would do if we need to be more helpful to the community. "That's not even an issue."